Union River dike removal

Project engineer Pat McCullough waits for the tide to come in Monday and flood the field on the Theler Wetlands that hasn’t seen saltwater on it for more than 100 years. The dikes that kept the field dry were removed Monday, completing a monthslong project to restore the estuary. Steve Zugschwerdt / Special to the Kitsap Sun

Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist Pad Smith adjusts a camera to take time-lapse photos of the saltwater filling the field after the dikes have been removed. Steve Zugschwerdt / Special to the Kitsap Sun

Excavators remove the dike Monday at the Theler Wetlands during low tide. Steve Zugschwerdt / Special to the Kitsap Sun

Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist Pad Smith and Doris Small take in the sites of the wetland at high tide Monday after the dike was breached. Steve Zugschwerdt / Special to the Kitsap Sun

Monday morning at low tide, crews worked to remove one of two dikes on the Theler Wetlands trail. The dike removal is part of the Union River Estuary Restoration Project and will return 50 acres of farmland behind the dikes to a tidal marsh. Steve Zugschwerdt / Special to the Kitsap Sun

Monday morning at low tide crews worked to remove one of two dikes on the Theler Wetlands trail. The dike removal is part of the Union River Estuary Restoration Project and will return 50 acres of farmland behind the dikes to a tidal marsh. Steve Zugschwerdt / Special to the Kitsap Sun

The shorter of the two bridges rests above the water after high tide flooded the previously dry field behind the dikes on the Theler Wetlands trail. The dikes were removed Monday morning. Steve Zugschwerdt / Special to the Kitsap Sun

Before the dikes on the Theler Wetland trail were breached. Steve Zugschwerdt / Special to the Kitsap Sun

After the dikes on the Theler Wetlands trail were breached. Steve Zugschwerdt / Special to the Kitsap Sun